Challenging Challenges

There’s still a couple of days before the From the Stacks Challenge is officially over but I’ve thrown in the towel. I read four out of my five books and even though I really want to read that other book it just not going to happen between now and Wednesday.

I’m happy that I read a few books that have been languishing on my shelves for too long but I’m challenged out. It’s taken me a month to finish one classic (I’m at the last 30 pages) and so I don’t see myself completing the Classics Challenge either. Let’s not even mention the Chunkster Challenge.

The challenges are a lot of fun and more than anything it’s been great connecting with fellow bookworms. I’ll probably keep joining them as they show up but you know, I am feeling a bit rebellious now. As I belong to several book groups by adding these challenges my reading has started to feel more like a school assignment and I want more of my freedom to read at whim.

I’ll keep the buttons for now but I’m not sure how much of an effort I’ll make with the remaining challenges. Having said that my friends I’m going to forget about book group books and reading challenges tonight and finally start New Moon. I’ve had it for a week and I’m tired of putting it off to complete/read other books. Bring on the Vampires.

About The Author

My philo with this is that I do one challenge/bookclub choice and one free will choice. So far it is working well for me but I was picky with my choices for the challenges and there are books I was dying to read. The Chunkster challenge though is getting a little scary I will admit. Anyways, enjoy the booster read. I still think that you can do it though. You would be surprised what can be done in a few days after a little breather. best of luck

I’m already failing the TBR Challenge, as I probably won’t finish The Wind in the Willows before tomorrow (it’s a kids’ book, for goodness sake, why can’t I get motivated?) However, I have read about 4 books this month which are ‘set reading’ for various other challenges and bookgroups. I finally found a local bookstore which had 1 copy of Twilight and I’m devouring it, but also don’t want it to end. I love Edward already, sigh. Have fun with New Moon.

Yeah, I don’t think I am going to complete the Classics Challenge personally. I have been reading Renaissance Drama for one of my university courses, and that has been giving me my classics fix. Sadly, they are not off my tbr pile, so I can’t count them. I might get something read in February, but I am not holding out much hope.

I managed to just finish my last book for the ‘From the Stacks’ challenge, but I still didn’t get around to reading ‘My Name is Red’ which was one of my goals for that challenge. I haven’t joined any other challenges, and unless one that I absolutely can’t resist comes up, doubt I will. I’m more of a ‘pick up a book as the mood strikes’ sort of reader and don’t like feeling like I have to read something.

I give you a lot of credit for taking up the challenges…I know that I wouldn’t be able to keep up with all of them as my reading struggle continues….one book at a time right now is the only thing I can handle.

Jenclair – I just saw that you completed your challenge. Woo-hoo!
Nessie – I need to do my reading like that otherwise it does become a bit of a chore. I hate saying that as the books have been great for the most part but still 🙂
Nik – I’m beginning to think I need a year to complete the challenges!
Lazy Cow – Isn’t Edward awesome? I can’t believe I have crush on a vampire!
Kailana – Maybe you could switch out some of your classics with your books from your course work. I won’t tell 🙂
Lesley – Congrats on finishing your challenge! I’m trying to not pay attention to any other challenges.
Christine – Thanks chica. I attribute the reading struggle to the book you are currently reading 😉
Les in Ne – Congrats to you too for finishing your challenge. And, isn’t Twilight awesome?

I echo your sentiments regarding the challenges. I keep signing up for them to connect with fellow book bloggers and to also give me a push to read books I have otherwise neglected. But I have yet to complete a single challenge – I’ve never even completed half of one, so although I still have the buttons on my blog also, I’ve mentally resigned from each and every one. Not to say the books I picked aren’t all great books – there are just too many others I come across at the library that sidetrack me!

Kirsten – The library sidetracks me all the time too 🙂
Isabel – For me it’s not about guilt it’s just how can I fail at something I’m so good at – reading! 🙂 It’s all in part of the book madness fun girl!

I like the challenges, because they tend to make ‘books that I’ve been meaning to read’ pop to the top of my list.

Of course, if I was also in several book clubs, I can see where that would get old. I guess for me, there are so many books out there that the challenges are a good way to sort through them. Unlike a lot of lit bloggers, I don’t buy that many books (poor college student), so I don’t have stacks waiting for me around the house (one day…)

I’m right there with you on the challenges, sister. Although I should speak for myself when I say that I’ve never finished one. I’m really interested in the Fantasy Challenge coming in March, but oh the timing–new baby to be born first week in March? No sleep all of March, at least? Don’t see that challenge happening either. Oh well, we’ll just have to keep trying, right?

I gave up on the current challenges, too. I like the connection with other readers and organizing my reading piles, but ultimately this month I decided to work on book club books. I have read no classics this month–last year at this time I had read a couple already. Oh well. There are still 11 more months to squeeze in plenty of good books!

LK – I like the idea of a reading schedule. I don’t know that I could stick with it but I like it.
Eva – I tried to put books on my lists that I already had as well. Hopefully to clear out some of those shelfsitters. I just got distracted by shiny new books 🙂
Maggie – Wasn’t Carl’s Gift Challenge cool? I enjoyed reading about it (I didn’t even try that one though).
Dark Orpheus – I like your way of thinking 🙂
Camille – I’ve never finished one either! I’m sure if someone mentions a new challenge to me tomorrow I’m liable to join it. ha,ha. Now what’s this about a Fantasy challenge?
Heather T. – Oh the vampires. I’ve only read a bit of New Moon and I’m obsessed all over again!
Danielle – Positive thinking right? 🙂 I agree, the connection to other readers is wonderful and of course checking out their piles of books.

I have changed my way of looking at my challenges. I am more challenged to read a book that meets the criteria, and less about making a list. The people organizing the challenges might not agree, but I find that if I make lists I wind up not wanting to read the books.

I may do Carl’s Fantasy Challenge coming up, but that’s because I have a ton on hand to read anyway. In fact, I’ve read 5 fantasy books just this past month! Maybe this won’t qualify as a “challenge.” LOL

Kailana – See I like making lists but obviously I have a hard time sticking to them. Ha. I like the way you organize your challenges.
SciFiChick – Too funny. I’m not participating in the Fantasy Challenge as I don’t read much SciFi but I can’t wait to see what people will be reading anyway. Good way to find good reads you know 🙂
Nancy – Amen sister! Let me ask my boss if I can do that 🙂